16. Should an emergency arise during the transition period, any metrication plan may have to be modified or reevaluated. If the emergency occurred in the early stages of conversion, a temporary suspension of conversion probably would be necessary. However, if hostilities should occur after the conversion is well advanced, it probably would be more efficient to accelerate the conversion process. 17. A most serious problem will be the development of an effective decision-making system. Decisions on when and how to change over from the inch-pound to the SI system of measurement can greatly affect the accomplishment and cost of each project. Therefore, a metrication coordinating office to advise or decide when and how to convert will have to be established. D. Current Usage of Metric System in the DOD. The metric system currently is used to some extent within the DOD to perform specific functions. However, in terms of the total DOD mission, it is not used extensively. See Appendix G for areas of current usage. E. Ability to Transit to the Use of the Metric System. 1. The study indicates that the DOD could transit to the use of the metric system without a major decrease in mission capability provided sufficient additional resources are available for the task. However, metrication would be costly and would allow limited military advantages while imposing numerous disadvantages during the transition period. Following transition, the military advantages expected are the day-to-day use of an inherently simpler system and the commitment of the Services to a single system of weights and measures. Further, should the adoption in the U. S. of the SI system lead to a world-wide standard for weights and measures, the result would be greater compatibility between U. S. and foreign operations and equipments. The completion of metrication will leave few long-term disadvantages. These will occur in the maintenance and support of long-life items which remain in the inventory well after the programmed metrication cycle. (For a detailed list of advantages and disadvantages, see Appendix D.) 2. The DOD is dependent upon the National Industrial Base and the rate of conversion within the DOD will be dependent on how well conversion is carried out by industry. The interfacing of equipments/components designed in the inch-pound and metric systems will present a formidable task. The availability of metric components will have to be known during the design process. Trade-off studies will have to be required to determine the degree of mix which could be tolerated in the engineering, support, and operational areas. DOD agencies must not be placed in the position of forcing the country to convert to metric units by requiring Government contracts to be written with metric requirements before industry has sufficiently converted. If DOD is placed in the position of forcing conversion, the cost to DOD and/or the decrease in Defense capability would greatly exceed the estimates made within this report. However, with proper planning, adequate funding and special attention to critical areas, it is envisioned that a successful conversion could be achieved. V. CONCLUSIONS A. Metrication within the DOD appears feasible provided sufficient and timely resources are made available and a national conversion schedule is adhered to by industry and DOD. It is imperative that close coordination be maintained between DOD and industry. Lack of such coordination will extend the conversion process and greatly increase the costs of conversion. B. The total DOD cost for converting to the metric system while maintaining a constant mission capability is estimated to be approximately $18 billion with the rate of expenditure dependent upon the National Metrication Program. These costs are such that in the current environment, they cannot be absorbed without deterioration of the defense posture. C. There are no major short-term advantages to the DOD in converting to the metric system. D. The major problems in converting to the metric system will occur during the period of transition. These include psychological resistance to change, extensive training and retraining of personnel, operational and tactical conversion, logistics, equipment and system acquisition and conversion, and the development of metric standards. E. The conversion of the country to the metric system could adversely impact on the ability of the United States to support its military forces during the proposed transition period. Without proper planning and adequate funding, the reduced flexibility and capacity of the support available would impact upon the capability of the Armed Forces to perform their mission, especially if an international crisis should develop at critical times during this period requiring the employment of major forces in a combat role. F. The major advantages expected are the day-to-day use of an inherently simpler system and the compatibility of U. S. and foreign equipment. Although the use of a simpler system would have no outstanding advantage, the slight advantage expected would be significant because of its widespread nature. The compatibility of U. S. and foreign equipment will enhance combined operations and simplify the logistics support requirements. G. The completion of metrication will leave few long-term disadvantages. Those that will occur deal with long-life items which will remain in inventory well after the programmed metrication cycle. H. Inch-pound standards that have wide international acceptance should be retained until suitable metric standards are developed and accepted. In addition, the U. S. Government must actively participate with international organizations in the development of metric standards. I. The interfacing of equipments/components designed in the inch-pound and metric systems will be a major task. The availability of metric components will have to be known during the design process. Trade-off studies will be required to determine the degree of mix which can be tolerated in the engineering, support, and operational areas. Metrication of new equipment designs can proceed on an orderly basis only if a phased national schedule for the conversion of major segments of U. S. industry is adopted. J. A full-time and continuing staff within DOD will be required to prepare a detailed implementation plan for metrication. This same organization could administer and implement the metric system plan where appropriate. VI. RECOMMENDATIONS If a national decision is made to adopt the SI system, it is recommended that: A. Aggressive action be taken to obtain in a timely manner those additional resources, in dollars and manpower, as are identified by affected DOD agencies. B. A national schedule for metrication be developed before the requirement for metrication is placed on the U.S. Department of Defense. C. A concerted effort be made by the Federal Government to foster and preserve the international use of U. S. customary standards that have wide international acceptance. D. A staff be established within DOD to monitor and coordinate implementation of the metric system plan. ASST SEC AIR FORCE (INSTALLATIONS & LOGISTICS) MEMO OF 16 October 1969 5 Attachments 1. Public Law 90-472 2. Deputy Secretary of Defense Memorandum, September 27, 1968 3. Guidelines 4. Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Memorandum, January 3, 1969 5. Secretary of the Air Force/Research & Development Memorandum, August 2, 1968 |